This workshopis
geared to both beginners and more experienced writers. We look at the
most important part of all stories whether fictional or true: the fully
dramatized scene. You’ll learn how to write great dialogue and how to mix it
with your narrative so that the interaction between your characters comes
alive.

As a bonus we'll look at how to create the most difficult scenes of all:
the fight scene, the dialogue scene and the love scene. Best yet, you'll
learn some of the successful tricks of the trade so that you'll never write a
lifeless scene again.

Ever stayed up all night reading a
book?In this workshop, you’ll learn you how to
build that kind of tension. And we'll help you put into practice the
techniques professionals use – on every page and in every kind of story – to
create drama and tension.

If you want to write the next
best-selling children’s books or
just want to create stories for your own kids, this workshop is for you. Learn
how to write stories kids and young adults will love and find out what you need
to know to sell your book.Special option: You may, but don't have to, bring 3 copies of
the opening couple pages (first 500 words) of your children’s book or young
adult novel (or 1,000 words if that will get you to the end of your picture
book or to the end of your first chapter.) If you’re not currently working on a
children’s story, don’t worry, we’ll get you started on the spot!

Barbara Berson, is a
literary agent with the Helen Heller Agency. Barbarahas
been an editor for the past 30 years, first in her native New York, then in
Toronto, where she was most recently a senior editor with Penguin
Canada, one of Canada’s premier general publishers.

Barbara has worked with both established and
emerging authors of literary fiction, nonfiction, and young adult
books. Her authors have been the recipients of numerous prizes, including
the Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Award. For Young Adults, she’s
especially looking for fiction that’s dark, funny, energetic, and compelling.

Patricia Ocampo joined Simon & Schuster Canada as
Managing Editor in 2015. She was also named Children’s Book Editor in 2016. She
is a past president of the Canadian division of the International Board on
Books for Young People and a former literary agent.

Patricia is currently accepting agented submissions
of early readers, middle-grade fiction, young adult fiction, and parenting
books.

Tanaz Bhathena was born in Mumbai and raised in Riyadh,
Jeddah, and Toronto. Her first YA novel, A Girl Like That has just been published by Farrar, Straus and
Giroux. and her second YA novel, Last Days, First
Days, will be coming out with FSG and Penguin Canada in the
winter of 2019.

Tanaz is also the winner of the 2009
MARTY for Emerging Literary Arts, a semi-finalist for the 2013 Jeffrey Archer
Short Story Challenge and the Readers’ Choice pick for the 2015 U of T Magazine
Short Story Contest. Her short stories have appeared in various journals,
including Blackbird, Witness and Room
Magazine.

To reserve a spot now, email brianhenry@sympatico.caWorkshop leader Brian Henryhas been a book editor and creative writing
instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox,
Canada’s most popular blog for writers, teaches creative writing at Ryerson
University, and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from
Sarnia to Charlottetown. But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of
his students get their first book published and launch their careers as
authors.

Brian Henry has been a book editor, writer, and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He teaches creative writing at Ryerson University. He also leads weekly creative writing courses in Burlington, Mississauga, Oakville and Georgetown and conducts Saturday workshops throughout Ontario. His proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get published.